SIGNS AT THE FISH MARKET

CLOSEUP OF WALL MURAL AT FISH MARKET

STALL AT FISH MARKET

MURAL AT FISH MARKET FROM A DISTANCE

PER KILO (2.2 LBS) PRICING FOR SMALL SHRIMP & KABORIA (CRAB)

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FOOD PRICES IN SAUDI ARABIA

When I go back to the USA for the summers, I am usually shocked at the price of groceries.  Food prices here in Saudi Arabia have been much cheaper than the US, but we've noticed a steady climb over the past few years.  Especially with imported foods.  It's been a while since I've done a post about food prices, so I thought now would be a good time to compare. Here we go!

FRESH PARSLEY, CILANTRO, MINT, DILL, MOLOKHIA, ETC., SOLD IN LARGES BUNCHES FOR 1.44 SR  (38 cents US)

IMPORTED BEEF TOMATOES & VINE TOMATOES - 34 SR PER KILO.  ONE KILO IS 2.2 POUNDS. SO IMPORTED TOMATOES ARE ABOUT $2.25/LB US 

IMPORTED ASPARAGUS AT 86 SR (ABOUT $23 US).  ARE THERE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHO LOVE ASPARAGUS SO MUCH THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY THAT PRICE?

IMPORTED BROCCOLI (FROM THE USA) FOR 52 SR PER KILO.  SO THAT IS ABOUT $7 US FOR ONE POUND OF BROCCOLI.  I CAN'T IMAGINE PAYING THAT MUCH FOR BROCCOLI!

LOCAL BROCCOLI SELLS FOR 14 SR/KILO, WHICH IS ABOUT $1.87/LB US 

KIWI - 7 SR/KILO = 93 CENTS/LB US 

(NOTE - THERE ARE MANY SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCE MARKETS WHERE PRICES FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE  MUCH CHEAPER)

IMPORTED BRAZILIAN BEEF STRIPLOIN - 68 SR/KILO = $9/LB US 

LOCAL BONELESS VEAL - 75 SR/KILO =  $10/LB US 

FRESH BEEF BURGER PATTIES - 50 SR/KILO =  $6.66/LB US 

FRESH LAMB SHOULDER - 63/KILO = $8.40/LB US 

FRESH LAMB CHOPS -  98 SR/KILO = $13/LB US 

(NOTE - THESE ARE SUPERMARKET PRICES - INDIVIDUALLY OWNED MEAT MARKETS USUALLY HAVE CHEAPER PRICES)

FROZEN JUMBO SHRIMP - 69 SR/KILO - $9/LB US 

1 WHOLE FROZEN GRILLER CHICKEN 1200G (2.64 LB) - SALE PRICE 11 SR =  $2.93 US

THE FOLLOWING MEATS ARE PREPARED, SEASONED & READY TO COOK:

BEEF SHAWARMA - 56 SR/KILO = $7.50/LB US 

CHICKEN SHAWARMA - 40 SR/KILO = $5.30/LB US 

BREADED BEEF SCALLOPINI - 57 SR/KILO = $7.58/LB US 

BREADED CHICKEN SCALLOPINI - 40 SR/KILO = $5.30/LB US 

GROUND BEEF KABOBS (MEAT ONLY) - 51 SR/KILO = $6.78/LB US 

CHICKEN KABOB (MEAT ONLY) - $2.66/LB US 

DELI BEEF MORTADELLA - 41.50 SR/KILO = $5.50/LB US

DELI CHICKEN MORTADELLA - 47 SR/KILO = $6.25/LB US

DELI GOUDA CHEESE - 77 SR/KILO = $10.25/LB US 

DELI KASHKAWAN  CHEESE - 63 SR/KILO = $8.39/LB US

DELI MOZARELLA CHEESE - 44 SR/KILO = $5.86/LB US

PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE, 280 GRAMS (10 OZ) - 17 SR = $4.53 US

FRESH MILK, 1 LITER - 5 SR = $1.33 US

FRESH MILK, 2 LITERS - 9 SR = $2.40 US

PKG OF 6 HAMBURGER BUNS -  .50 SR =  13 CENTS US

(NOTE - WHILE BREAD PRICES HAVE RISEN HERE, BREAD PRODUCTS STILL CONTINUE TO BE VERY AFFORDABLE, AS FLOUR IS SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT)

TWO-PACK OF 1.5 LITRE BOTTLES OF COOKING OIL - ON SALE 29 SR = $7.73 US

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, 500 ML (17 OZ)  - ON SALE 11 SR =  $2.93 US

JAR OF MIXED PICKLES, 660 GRAMS (23 OZ) - 9 SR =  $2.39 US

HONEY BBQ SAUCE, 18 OZ = 12 .50 SR = $3.33 US

KIKKOMAN SOY SAUCE, 20 OZ - 23 SR = $6.13 US

STEAK SAUCE, 10 OZ - 7 SR =  $1.86 US

PEPSI, 7-UP PRODUCTS - 

15 CANS, 150 ML  (5.07 OZ) - 30 SR = $8 US

6 CANS, 330 ML (11.15 OZ) -  16 SR = $4.26 US

LINDT CHOCOLATE BAR - 16 SR = $4.26 US

M&Ms, 180 GRAMS (6.3 OZ)  =  14 SR =  $3.73 US

 

HOW DO SUPERMARKET PRICES HERE IN SAUDI ARABIA COMPARE TO YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS?

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Saudi Arabia Sugar Tax

A few months ago the Saudi government took steps to address the high rate of diabetes and other health concerns caused by the addition of sugar in beverages.  

Let's Eat! Saudi Arabia Breakfast

This enormous jug shaped pot is used for making foul, a mix of a variety of mashed up beans that is popular for breakfast (or any time, actually) in Saudi Arabia.

The foul is eaten with a flat bread called tameez.  Tameez can vary according to the regions of origin. Bite-size pieces of tameez are torn off the loaf and dipped into the foul.

Tameez is baked in a special round oven shaped like a beehive. The bread sticks to the inside wall of the oven.

A loaf of tameez usually costs one riyal (about 25 cents US) and a tub of the foul to go with it costs about 3 riyals (about 75 cents US).

City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers that share images of life in their cities around the world.  The first of every month is Theme Day for City Daily Photo bloggers.  This month's theme is "Let's Eat!"

Please visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day of "Let's Eat!" 

Jeddah: Yellow Villas

Real estate here in Saudi Arabia seems to be quite a bit higher than in the US, especially the cost of raw land.  It is very difficult for many young couples to afford to purchase a home.  The Saudi government does provide some assistance to those who qualify for it, however land prices are exorbitant  Jeddah has grown by leaps and bounds, with the northern beach area really booming and consequently driving up prices.  

Spice Up Your Life

Spices, nuts, seeds, and beans are often sold in bulk or in separate shops or dedicated areas of larger stores.  An employee will package up your order.  These grocery items are much cheaper here in Saudi Arabia than in the states. 

Lean Ground Beef Price in Saudi Arabia

Food prices in Saudi Arabia are generally cheaper than in the USA, especially bread and fresh produce.  This label shows the cost of .770 kilos of Brazilian Lean Ground Beef at 26.95 Saudi Riyals per kilo, making the cost of this package of ground beef 20.75 SR.  Converting that into pounds and US dollars, this package weighs 1.70 pounds at $7.19 per kilo (equaling $3.24 per pound), making the total cost of this package of ground beef $5.53 US.

How does that compare to your area of the world?